Conductive Fabric Substrate for Optoelectronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically conductive substrates for optoelectronic devices face challenges in mechanical flexibility, processing efficiency, and optimal transmission properties, particularly during mass production, where dielectric materials can escape and electrical conductivity is not maximized without compromising light transmission.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with a full-area polymer or glass film on its non-conductive surface, combined with metallic or metallized fibers arranged in a specific weave structure, provides a barrier against material escape and enhances electrical conductivity along the metal fiber direction while maintaining high light transmission by using transparent non-conductive fibers orthogonally, eliminating the need for transparent conductive oxides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fabric substrate with metallic or metallized fibers is used to achieve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but light transmission deteriorates due to the opaque nature of metal fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transparent polymer fibers with metallic or metallized fibers in a fabric structure. The transparent fibers contribute to light transmission while the metallic fibers provide electrical conductivity. This composite approach allows both functions to coexist without completely sacrificing either property.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies metallization only to specific fibers rather than the entire fabric surface, and uses transparent polymer materials in strategic locations to maintain optical properties. The fabric structure is designed with varying fiber compositions to achieve local optimization of both conductivity and transmission.
2Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive oxides (TCO) are used to achieve both transparency and electrical conductivity, then light transmission is improved, but mechanical flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces brittle TCO layers with flexible fabric-based conductive structures that can withstand bending and mechanical deformation. The fabric substrate inherently provides mechanical flexibility while maintaining electrical conductivity through its fiber structure, eliminating the fragility associated with oxide-based TCOs.
3Ease of manufacture
If dielectric material is applied over a fabric substrate without a barrier layer, then device functionality is improved, but material control deteriorates as dielectric material escapes through the fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a polymer coating to the fabric substrate before applying dielectric materials. This preliminary coating layer seals the fabric structure and prevents subsequent dielectric materials from penetrating through the fabric, ensuring controlled material application and preventing contamination of underlying layers.
4Reliability
If a fabric substrate is metallized to improve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but light transmission deteriorates due to loss of fiber translucency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transparent polymer fibers with metallic or metallized fibers in a fabric structure. The transparent fibers contribute to light transmission while the metallic fibers provide electrical conductivity. This composite approach allows both functions to coexist without completely sacrificing either property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves improved mechanical and processing properties, with electrical conductivity <10 Ohm/sq and light transmission >80%, enabling efficient large-area optoelectronic device production with reduced manufacturing costs and avoiding the limitations of traditional TCO materials.
Implementation Method 1
the fabric is conductive in at least one fabric direction, viewed from the front side, with an electrical surface resistance of less than 10 Ohm/sq
Implementation Method 2
the substrate is provided on its electrically non-conductive surface (or to realize the electrically non-conductive surface side) with a full-area, and therefore dense and flat, film made of a polymer or glass material
Implementation Method 3
the (transparent) fiber material itself is translucent or translucent .Has a light-scattering effect and thus potentially increases transmission
Implementation Method 4
it is necessary to apply or introduce the polymer material used for the coating to be provided in the tissue and allow it to cure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically conductive substrate for an optoelectronic device comprising a fabric (12) with metallic or metallized fibers (14) and electrically non-conductive, transparent polymeric (16) or glass fibers, which is provided with a partial or full-surface coating (22, 22') comprising a transparent, electrically non-conductive polymeric material, wherein the substrate forms a first, electrically conductive surface side and a second, electrically non-conductive surface side, and the fabric is arranged such that the electrical surface resistance of the substrate is ≤ 10 Ω/sq, wherein only the metallic or metallized fibers are provided along a first fabric direction of the fabric and only the electrically non-conductive fibers are provided along the second fabric direction of the fabric which is orthogonal to the first fabric direction.and/or the substrate has on its electrically non-conductive surface side a particularly full-surface, transparent and flexible glass or polymer film (10) such that this covers the polymer material in contact and preferably touches the fibers of the fabric.